On Monday, the Ministry of Education told Lok Sabha that over 30 lakh Indian students went abroad for higher education during 2017-2022. The Union Education Minister of State, Subhas Sarkar, shared the information in a written reply to a question asked by JD(U) MP Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and others.

He said that the Ministry of Home Affairs Bureau of Immigration handles departures and arrival data of Indians. But there is no index for catching the classification of Indians going abroad for higher education goals. The purpose of Indian students moving abroad for higher education is captured manually, founded either on their verbal exposure or the type of visa of the destination nation produced by them at the time of immigration approval.

Mr. Sarkar stated that 7.50 lakh Indians revealed their purpose of visiting to study or education while moving abroad in 2022.

The number in prior years was 4.4 lakh in 2021, 2.59 lakh in 2020, 5.86 lahks in 2019, 5.17 lakh in 2018, and 4.54 lakh in 2017.

The minister was also questioned if it is a reality that the money being spent by Indian students abroad is more than the education budget of the nation and if the government has any proposal to establish an International University in order to save the said funds.

Replying to this part of the question, Mr. Sarkar said, "as of now, there is no proposal to set up any International University in India.

However, University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently drafted enabling Regulations to promote the establishment of campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutes in our country.

The draft (UGC)- University Grants Commission (Setting up Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions In India) Regulations, 2023 was put in the public realm seeking comments, feedback, recommendations, etc., from all stakeholders by January 18, 2023. However, in view of the appeals received from stakeholders, the last date for accepting comments on the draft Regulations has been extended till February 20, 2023," he informed.